It’s become clear to me that Trump/Pence don’t believe in/understand social science. How can we move toward a more just nation with leaders who deny the existence of the very issues that are tearing us apart?

1/

In the #VPDebate , Pence said it was insulting to suggest that law enforcement has implicit bias. That’s like saying it’s insulting to say that law enforcement officers have two eyes and a nose. These are facts. Along with our facial features, we all have implicit bias.

2/

That’s why it’s so insidious and problematic. Indeed, the Executive Order on stereotyping also reveals a complete lack of understanding of these issues.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-combating-race-sex-stereotyping/

3/

They list this belief as a “divisive concept”: “an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously”

4/

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue. No one’s out there teaching that all men are sexist and all white people are racist. It’s true, though, that MOST people, for example, ascribe to the same gender schemas.

5/

We are all more comfortable with women who are kind, nurturing, smiling, etc than those who are assertive, ambitious, and smart. People of all genders, not just men, find the latter (assertive women) threatening.

6/

Similar principles apply for racism, ableism, xenophobia, etc. We have learned schemas through our experiences, and these, for the most part, help us understand the world.

7/

However, these schemas are also damaging because they lead us to a whole host of false beliefs: that only white men can be scientists, that Black men are criminals, etc. These beliefs are clearly false and damaging in many ways.

8/

I just do not see how people who don’t understand these basic concepts can foster the environment we deserve, one in which all people can truly thrive. It’s clear we have a better chance at it with Biden/Harris.

#BidenHarris2020